[Histonet] 88305TC starting to hit the fan...

Tue Nov 20 10:00:50 CST 2012

CAP has a webinar on the web site that explains all this pretty well. Seems like the reimbursement was increased for 88307 and 88309, so that the overall decrease is 6% if I understood correctly. I need to meditate on it a bit. 

The problem with the 88305 code is that clinicians have taken it away from pathologists... I've been harping for years.. prostates being the biggest culprit for price increase. Shame, shame, shame - in Gomer Pyle speak.. !! :>)

Joyce Weems
Pathology Manager
678-843-7376 Phone
678-843-7831 Fax
joyce.weems <@t> emoryhealthcare.org

www.saintjosephsatlanta.org
5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30342

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-----Original Message-----
From: Joe W. Walker, Jr. [mailto:joewalker <@t> rrmc.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:24 AM
To: Marsh, Nannette; Weems, Joyce K.; 'Rene J Buesa'; Bernice Frederick; David Kemler; Fellow HistoNetters
Subject: RE: [Histonet] 88305TC starting to hit the fan...

Let's be a little factual.  The discussion to cut 88305 has been going on for years, even before the Accountable Care Act was passed.  Lab fees (TC) and professional fees (PC) in general have been under the gun for cuts year after year.  Health care is changing due to the unsustainable costs associated with providing services.  The ACA did give the government a reason to take a hard look at many of the codes.  88305 hadn't been evaluated closely since 1999.  It is debatable as to what data was used to develop a cost analysis for the work done to determine the cuts.

88305 is being cut by 51.7% on the TC side.  Interestingly, the PC(26) side is being increased by 1.9%.  Likewise, 88300 is being but 57.1%, 88302 is being cut 51% and 88304 is being cut 34.7%.  All of them have slight increases for the PC side.

Joe W. Walker, Jr. MS, SCT(ASCP)CM
Anatomical Pathology Manager
Rutland Regional Medical Center
160 Allen Street, Rutland, VT 05701
P: 802.747.1790  F: 802.747.6525
NEW EMAIL: joewalker <@t> rrmc.org
www.rrmc.org

Our Vision:
To be the Best Community Healthcare System in New England

Rutland Regional...Vermont's 1st Hospital to Achieve Both ANCC Magnet Recognition® and the Governor's Award for Performance Excellence

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Marsh, Nannette
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:03 AM
To: 'Weems, Joyce K.'; 'Rene J Buesa'; Bernice Frederick; David Kemler; Fellow HistoNetters
Subject: RE: [Histonet] 88305TC starting to hit the fan...

Very well said Joyce.  Thank you.  Happy Thanksgiving to you.  Best regards.

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Weems, Joyce K.
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 8:49 AM
To: 'Rene J Buesa'; Bernice Frederick; David Kemler; Fellow HistoNetters
Subject: RE: [Histonet] 88305TC starting to hit the fan...

There are caps on what folks must pay, folks... please read the law. There are many good things about the new law.

Also realize that all of the changes we're facing are not part of Obamacare. The Grandfather clause has been ending for years. Congress finally let it this year.

Something had to change and change is hard. Let's work together with our Congress to adjust what needs to be adjusted as needed. Maybe they will begin to work together if we demand it.

Happy Thanksgiving - we still have much to be thankful for!!

Joyce Weems
Pathology Manager
678-843-7376 Phone
678-843-7831 Fax
joyce.weems <@t> emoryhealthcare.org

www.saintjosephsatlanta.org
5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30342

This e-mail, including any attachments is the property of Saint Joseph's Hospital and is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s).  It may contain information that is privileged and confidential.  Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message, and reply to the sender regarding the error in a separate email.

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 9:04 AM
To: Bernice Frederick; David Kemler; Fellow HistoNetters
Subject: Re: [Histonet] 88305TC starting to hit the fan...

The law provides economic assistance to those with low income who cannot afford insurance.
It would be nice if we all read the law instead of paying attention to those who try to scare people.
René J.

________________________________
From: Bernice Frederick <b-frederick <@t> northwestern.edu>
To: Rene J Buesa <rjbuesa <@t> yahoo.com>; David Kemler <histotalk <@t> yahoo.com>; Fellow HistoNetters <Histonet <@t> Lists.UTSouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 9:00 AM
Subject: RE: [Histonet] 88305TC starting to hit the fan...

But can they afford to buy it????

Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
Senior Research Tech
Pathology Core Facility
ECOGPCO-RL
Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
Northwestern University
710 N Fairbanks Court
Olson 8-421
Chicago,IL 60611
312-503-3723
b-frederick <@t> northwestern.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 7:58 AM
To: David Kemler; Fellow HistoNetters
Subject: Re: [Histonet] 88305TC starting to hit the fan...

Tell that to all those who have pre-existing medical conditions that can now buy health insurance.
René J.

________________________________
From: David Kemler <histotalk <@t> yahoo.com>
To: Fellow HistoNetters <Histonet <@t> Lists.UTSouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 9:49 PM
Subject: Re: [Histonet] 88305TC starting to hit the fan...

Hmmm...I think more people should have paid attention to Obamacare two years ago when it was being shoved down eveyones throat. Oh well.. as old saying goes..."You ain't seen nottin' yet"! I'm just amazed that there are so many in the profession who are surprised about the changes beginning to take place, there are many, many more to come in 2013 & 14 and all of them affect your job or lack thereof. :)

Everyone had the opportunity to change things on November 6th - they chose not to. So, you live with it.

Yours,
David

________________________________
From: Davide Costanzo <pathlocums <@t> gmail.com>
To: "Webster, Thomas S." <twebster <@t> crh.org>
Cc: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 6:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Histonet] 88305TC starting to hit the fan...

While this stinks on many levels, I have to take issue with the "shift wealth from specialists to family practice" - family practice docs have been the frontline of medicine, all the while earning less than a quarter of what specialists earn. It's about time they get a boost.
Too many specialists earn over a million a year, while the family practice guys/ladies can barely pay their student loans.

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 19, 2012, at 1:25 PM, "Webster, Thomas S." <twebster <@t> crh.org> wrote:

> CAP had a webinar last week about the cut. These are some very scary times. For some reason the government has decided to shift wealth from specialists to family practice. I am becoming more angry with the affordable care act everyday.
>
> http://www.cap.org/apps/cap.portal?_nfpb=true&cntvwrPtlt_actionOverrid
> e=%2Fportlets%2FcontentViewer%2Fshow&_windowLabel=cntvwrPtlt&cntvwrPtl
> t%7BactionForm.contentReference%7D=advocacy%2Fadvocacy_related_webinar
> s.html&_state=maximized&_pageLabel=cntvwr
>
>
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